Faribault Man Faked Cancer, Received Thousands In Donations: Police

FARIBAULT, MN — A southern Minnesota man is accused of lying about having cancer and receiving more than $17,000 in donations to help him fight the condition. Jeremiah Jon Smith, 47, of Faribault, has been charged with one count of theft by swindle in Rice County.

In May 2016, Smith claimed to have stage four terminal cancer and amassed $6,800 via a GoFundMe page, according to a criminal complaint. He also had two benefits that raised more $15,000, KARE 11 reported. Investigators claim Smith used $4,000 to pay bills and spent the rest on a video game, darts, drinking, and marijuana.

Watch: Faribault Man Faked Cancer, Received Thousands In Donations

Smith also quit his job and said he went to multiple doctor appointments, but did not allow his wife to come with him, KSTP reported. Smith's wife attempted to find evidence of her husband's diagnosis but could not find any, according to the news station.

When investigators asked Smith about his condition, he said he would provide his medical records as proof but never did, according to the criminal complaint.

(For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Minnesota Patch, click here to find your local Minnesota Patch. Also, follow us on Facebook , and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Smith faces up to 10 years in prison if he is found guilty.

Image via Shutterstock